Published: 29 Jan 2018

On visiting town Toby learnt from a visiting sloop that his ship was going to be somewhat late, having to collect a load of timber from Fiji which was to be delivered to Townsville, then a shipment of salted beef due for Brisbane, so it could be a good three weeks, even more, before it would once again be coming north and able to collect him.

The delay suited Toby well, as he was still enjoying the company of Lachlan and Martha, who openly declared Toby to be a gentleman and most welcome, as for Jock McBride, Toby had only seen him from a distance and by the old man’s scowl he did not wish to be introduced further.

After the loss of the Capricorn McBride had become even more detached from the family and seldom came back to the house, leaving most of the mundane decisions to William. He believed he had lost prestige with the wrecking of the ship and was busy looking for a replacement but in the north, suitable vessels were few and never at his price.

Also, as the preacher constantly visiting the black’s camp with his whip, fire and brimstone, Jock wisely had not shown there either. Instead he had taken a house in town where he now lived, only returning home when entertaining his business associates. Even with his extended absence he would almost daily interrogate his foreman and William at the farm, without coming near the house except for documents, or to collect clean shirts and underwear, Martha laundered most loyally without once questioning his fidelity or his resolve.

It was during this period and Toby’s last week before being collected by his new ship, Robert the older of the triplets left home. On one of Jock’s visits he took his son to task over not supervising the native workers, to which Robert became unusually animated bringing the old man’s blood to boiling point and after a further short but heated altercation, Robert was told to pack his bags and clear out, while in no uncertain terms the lad was to be disinherited.

“Disinherited!” Robert shouted at his father, “Disinherited, you were never going to leave anything to anyone but William anyway and you can shove your bloody money.” Robert’s words reverberated clearly through the study doors bringing Cameron to cringe and William to realise without Robert it would be more work for him.

William was well accustomed to their father’s resolve, being a man who would rather spite himself than reverse a decision. Robert would be banished and remain so, until McBride believed the period of punishment could be ended by a strong and meaningful apology from Robert. He also knew Robert, there wouldn’t be an apology.

Robert quickly departed from the farm but only as far as McBride’s Point where he found work with the timber merchant, who was most likely the only business man not owing to or wanting from Robert’s father and was happy to one-up his adversary by employing the lad.

That same night Jock McBride called a gathering of his clan demanding no one was to contact Robert or even mention his name in his presence, as in his mind Robert was dead to the family.

Lachlan wasn’t there to witness the outrage but after all had calmed at the big house, Daniel came by with the news and for once appeared to be some what shaken.

“What are we going to do?” Daniel put fourth.

“What can we do, Robert is still our brother so we must support him, even if behind father’s back.”

“What if the old bugger finds out?”

“Daniel I believe as long as father isn’t directly involved he couldn’t care less.”

“Would you like a coffee Daniel?” Toby offered.

“I would like something stronger, have you any scotch?” Daniel requested nervously.

“No I haven’t but there is plenty up at the house.”

“I wouldn’t dare touch father’s precious imports’, besides I believe he marks the bottles.”

Lachlan displayed a knowing smirk of memory, “I know he does and when William was living at home he would steal a nip.”

“How would he get away with it?” Daniel questing disbelieving his brother’s words.

“William added water to bring the bottle back to the mark.”

“Surely father would notice?”

“He often did but had some notion tropical weather weakened the brew.”

Daniel accepted the coffee and after a while settled back into his usual persona and as the colour returned to his face, the banter returned to his words.

“I see young Toby has taken the rat’s place.” He said to Lachlan when the lad was out of the room.

“In what way do you mean Daniel?”

“Nothing, only he appears to be settling into being on the land.”

“Toby is going back to sea in a few days.” Lachlan answered nonchalantly.

“You will miss him?”

“Of course I’ll miss him why?”

Daniel gave an all knowing smile and helped himself to more coffee.

“Daniel the trouble with you is that you keep reflecting you’re our personality onto others.”

“What does that mean?”

“It appears to me everyone in this family gives statements without meaning or refuses to explain.” Lachlan suggested.

“I only thought Toby appears to be fitting in fine.”

“Again it appears even that has a double meaning.”

“I think you know what I mean,” another smirk from Daniel, another slant on Lachlan’s relationship with Stephen Henderson.

“Are you suggesting -” Lachlan withdrew his conclusion.

“I’m not suggesting anything. I guess I will also miss him being around and so will mother.”

“As I recall you were the one who instigated it back then.” Lachlan remained annoyed with his brother’s implication but calmed as Toby returned to the room.

“What’s the topic of conversation?” Toby asked as the brothers became silent.

“Believe me Toby, nothing of interest what so ever.” Lachlan related while noticing Daniel and Toby’s eyes appeared to connect for an extended period.

“Did you hear there is a new school teacher? It’s a woman this time, a Miss. Roberts, Jenny I believe and I’ve heard she’s a real good looker and young.” Daniel reported. Lachlan slowly nodding his acknowledgement didn’t give comment.

Daniel finished his coffee. “William was over at the house to see mother last night.”

“What’s the significance in that, he’s always visiting the big house.” Lachlan perceived.

“He had Lucy with him and she appeared somewhat pleased with herself, while William appeared dog-faced.”

“You’re at it again Daniel. If you have something to say out with it and stop playing your stupid game.” Lachlan scowled and commenced to clear the table.

“I’ll do that,” Toby offered.

“Lucy is expecting.” At last Daniel offered up his gossip.

“So why would William be dismal?”

“Don’t you recollect brother” Daniel spoke with a measure of surprise.

“I can’t be expected to recall every item of rubbish you come out with.”

“Who’s is it?” Daniel questioned.

“William’s I suppose, who else?”

“If you are as good at matamatas as you claim, you would remember conception would be around the same time William and Cameron exchanged identities.” The thought gave Daniel buoyancy.

“Oh,”

“Yes oh, at the time William may have thought it to be cleaver but now, who is the father?”

“I guess that is what happens when you play games, even you could learn from that.” Lachlan answered displaying his serious nature.

“There is something else. Do you know Harry Larkin the publican has a daughter about our age?” Lachlan admitted he did and corrected Daniel on her age believing her to be somewhat older, more William and Cameron’s age but lacked understanding why her age mattered.

“It matters brother because our father had decided that it is time you married and he has arranged for you to marry Harry’s daughter.”

“I don’t know his bloody daughter.” Lachlan protested as the blood drained from his face.

“So – why would that matter to father, you are collateral like the rest of us. Be grateful he doesn’t marry you off to one of the blacks.”

“Why would he want me to marry Larkin’s daughter?” Lachlan was astounded, believing it all to be only another of his brothers jests.

“Some deal they are hatching and Larkin suggested a marriage would benefit the outcome.”

“Not my outcome.” Lachlan became most determined, “when did you hear this?”

“This morning in the machinery shed, he was talking to William but I wouldn’t worry, once he gets what he wants from Larking he will have forgotten the deal.”

“I’ll guarantee one thing and that is it won’t happen at all.” Lachlan dogmatically concluded.

Daniel moved on from being the bringer of unwelcome news. “Father is staying home tonight, can I stay?”

“No.”

Daniel turned to Toby as if canvassing a second opinion on staying.

“I don’t have the room.” Lachlan firmly stated.

“I could bunk in.”

“I don’t think so, does mother know of father’s decision?” Lachlan asked.

“She does but what can she do, the old man would kick her out if she interfered.”

Once Daniel had left for the night Toby displayed as much empathy as his youthful years could muster but Lachlan appeared to be in shock. “Will you marry the girl?” He asked.

“No way, I’ll find some way out of it, besides I can’t.” Lachlan left his account unfinished.

“Why would that be?” Toby asked expecting his friend to announce he was already promised.

“It doesn’t matter but believe me there is no way this marriage will go ahead.”

“I will be leaving the day after tomorrow, maybe I should stay and give you support.” Toby offered.

“No you must do what is best for you. I assure you I will be alright. I’ve been in tighter positions with our father in the past than this and like Robert there is always that conclusion.”

With Toby back at sea and promising to visit whenever he had shore leave, Lachlan took himself up to the big house to see what his mother knew about the marriage deal his father had agreed with Harry Larkin. With Jock in town and Daniel elsewhere his mother could speak freely and as usual found Lachlan had a sympathetic ear towards her stressful existence, as she had with him.

It appeared the marriage deal had been decided late one night over a bottle of scotch and necessary to gain Larkin’s support in a project the council was not happy with. McBride’s first choice to bind the two families was Cameron as he was more the girl’s age but Larkin was adamant, it should be Lachlan as he believed Cameron was somewhat backward. At the time McBride didn’t think of Lachlan but quickly agreed as in his belief the lad wasn’t a McBride anyway. So from the bottom of a bottle of Larkin’s inferior liquor the deal was struck.

Larkin’s daughter Elizabeth was a number of years older than Lachlan and bordered on becoming a wall flower. She had bad eyesight, crooked teeth, straight brown hair cut in a fringe above her eyebrows; a moon face and to add to injury, was running to overweight.

“Elizabeth is a nice girl.” Martha spoke as one defeated and resigned to what would eventuate.

“Maybe so but I don’t wish to enter into some arranged marriage, if and when I decide to do marry, it will be someone of my own choosing.”

“I don’t know what I can say to help?” Martha’s sympathy towards her favourite son was genuine but could do nothing more than express an offering of moral support.

“I’m afraid for the first time in my life I will have to openly disobey father.”

“I’ve finished here come with me to the verandah it is cooler there.” Martha suggested as she placed the evening’s roast into the oven.

Across the fields of cane a heat haze rose distorting their view of the forest beyond, where lazy smoke rose from the native’s camp. Lachlan took a deep and troubled breath from the tropical air and paced his way to the end of the verandah, his gaze firmly fixed on the smoke his thoughts on the simplistic life stile of the natives and then there was Stephen, his longing to be with his friend once again surfaced and became overpowering.

“Your father won’t accept no, look what happened to Robert.”

“Ah mother there are more ways than arguing and outright refusal. I will make myself unacceptable to this girl. I’ll pretend to go along with the sordid deal and by the time I’m finished, she will beg to be excused.”

Martha McBride sat proudly watching her son as he spoke of how he would foil his fathers plan to marry him to Elizabeth Larkin. She gently shook her head as tears commenced to form. She held them back as became her habit of many years trapped in an unhappy marriage.

“What’s wrong mother?” Lachlan enquired noticing his mother’s distress.

She faltered but the dam could not hold forever.

“Your father is having an affair.” She spoke softly and turned away ashamed for her loss of control. As she did so a lone rider turned off the main road towards the house. Martha knew that rider’s style even at such a distance, which made her hurry her conversation towards conclusion.

“Your father is coming.” Martha stated without emotion, nodding towards the rider. Lachlan noted his father’s approach and admitted he knew about his father’s antics but didn’t know how to approach Martha or if he had the right to do so.

“You realise he is living openly with her in town?” Martha admitted as her husband approached the gate.

“What do you wish to do?” Lachlan asked as Jock opened the farm gate then entered.

At the gate McBride met William and appeared to be having an altercation with him, his voice could be clearly heard even from the distance, as he pointed in one direction and then another. Eventually William nodded in agreement and went about the old man’s directive.

“There is nothing I can do.” Martha concluded while gathering her emotions together. She calmed, dried away her tears.

“If you leave him, I’ll support you.” Lachlan promised as the man tethered his horse and mounted the stairs, his gait somewhat laboured, while having to rest a while before reaching the verandah.

Martha quickly disappeared back into the house and returned with a cold beer as Jock reached the veranda. He accepted the beverage without curtesy and nodded to Lachlan, then sat himself wide legged beside his son.

“How old are you boy?” Jock asked in an intimidating tone, throwing his panama hat to the table top and wiping away the beads of sweat from his forehead.

“Nineteen sir almost twenty.”

“Umm.”

To Lachlan it was obvious where his father’s question was heading and equally obvious there wasn’t any way for him to back away from the conversation. He would not, for now he would be in silent agreement and bade his time. There would be no marriage.

“Isn’t it time you took yourself a wife?”

“Daniel and Robert are older and there is Cameron, maybe they should marry first?” Lachlan suggested while grinning with the knowledge that Daniel and Robert were only older by minutes. Lachlan’s smile soon dissipated with the anger his father showed at the very mention of Robert’s name. For now Robert was disowned but when it suited Jock he would return him to the bosom of the family but under his condition and only after that forced apology.

“Well boy be that as it may but I’ve arranged a marriage for you.” The man’s words were dominating and unswayable, “Martha,” He called back into the house. Martha arrived at the doorway. “Have Polly fetch me a scotch.”

“Don’t you think it a little early?” Martha politely questioned, being concerned for her husbands increasing habit.

“I don’t expect you to think.”

Martha called for Poly.

“Why would you arrange a marriage father?”

“If not, you would be clinging to your mother’s skirts until who knows when. Besides I think it is about time you made something of yourself, hanging around with your mate Henderson and the blacks’ is bad for the family Image.”

“Stephen Henderson has been gone for months now.”

“It is a little more than that. Isn’t it boy?”

“And to whom am I to marry father?” The lad quietly asked ignoring his father’s backhanded slur on his friendship with Stephen Henderson.

“I’ve arranged at great expense,” a lie of the greatest magnitude, “for you to marry Harry Larkin’s eldest daughter Elizabeth.”

The old man appeared most pleased with himself, so much so he had to repeat the marital arrangements.

“When is this marriage to take place?” Lachlan quietly asked while just below the surface he was seething with anger.

“There’s no rush, you will need to get to know her first and if you’re a true McBride bed her as soon as possible, so she can’t wriggle out of it.” The old man laughed thinking of his own antics and how he had spread himself around the district. “Have you met the girl?” He asked.

“I’ve seen her about sir.”

“She’s a good girl, not much to look at but will look after all your needs and has good child bearing hips, while your kids will carry the McBride name.” The old man paused. “I’ve invited Harry Larkin over this afternoon with his family, I want you to treat her correctly, you hear boy?”

“Yes father.”

Without further conversation Jock McBride collected his hat and left the verandah. Moments later he was in the cane field and once again directing William and Cameron about their work.

“So that’s your plan.” Lachlan softly spoke as he watched a developing argument between their father and William. At first it appeared as if William was disputing some direction then with head bowed he appeared to back away, while Cameron stood at distance, arms folded and silent.

“For a moment there William I thought you were growing balls.” Lachlan softly commented on his brother’s dispute as his attention turned towards Cameron still silent and aside.

“You have the right idea Cameron.” Lachlan grinned.

“You remain as William’s shadow and you will survive all of us.” Lachlan turned from the continuing altercation. “Now how do I make myself unattractive towards this Larkin woman? Roll about in horse shit may do the trick.”

Finished with his altercation with William, McBride returned to the house as Lachlan descended the stairs. “Boy, go and tell you mother to prepare afternoon tea for around three o’clock.”

“Yes father, for how many?”

“Three I guess Harry, his wife and,” the man smiled, “I guess your bride to be.”

Lachlan returned to the verandah and was about to deliver the message when his father called him back, “and boy go and change your clothes, you can’t be meeting your future wife smelling of horse shit.”

“What’s wrong with smelling of horse shit.” The lad quietly mumbled as he entered into the house.

Martha was bent over the oven as Lachlan entered, complaining about the stove and it’s reluctance to hold heat.

“I guess the flue needs cleaning.” Lachlan expected, “I’ll do it for you tomorrow.”

“I thought that could be the problem.” Martha gave a huff and closed the oven door.

“There’s another quandary.”

“What would that be dear?” Martha removed her apron.

“Father has Harry Larkin and his lot over for afternoon tea.”

“I suppose I should make a batch of scones.” Martha released a long and disappointing sigh; she had intended to do washing.

“Couldn’t Polly do the scones?” Lachlan suggested.

“I guess so, if you want them burnt, Polly can do the washing but I better prepare the soap or she will use it all.” Martha retrieved the ingredients for her scones, “Did Jock mention his plans?” she asked.

“Plans for what would that be?” Lachlan asked.

“I guess the wedding.”

“He did and today it is up to me to sweep her off her feet.” Lachlan commenced to laugh.

“I’m sorry dear, I don’t know what I can do or say.” Martha apologised.

“Don’t worry mother, it won’t happen.”

Gary really wants to know if you are reading his story. You may let him know, by dropping an email to him: Gary dot Conder at CastleRoland dot Net.

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